Alumni News: Zianna Fuad
By Barbara Kiemski
From classroom halls to meaningful conversations about life’s biggest questions, alumni student Zianna Fuad is making an impact in a space many people avoid - death, loss, and what it means to truly live. Zianna, who attended BDC from 2006 to 2009, has taken a unique career path as a Death Doula, supporting individuals and families through end-of-life experiences.
Her work focuses on providing emotional, spiritual, and practical guidance during some of life’s most difficult moments. Through her support, people often feel less alone and more at peace as they navigate loss and transition.
After leaving the college in Year 10, Zianna completed her HSC at CHEC in 2011. She then went on to complete a four-year Bachelor of Environments degree at the University of Melbourne. Zianna worked for Friends of the Earth Australia for a number of years before completing her Doula training in 2024.
Zianna’s interest in the Death Doula field grew from both personal experience and a lifelong curiosity about the connection between life and death. After experiencing loss in her own family, she recognised how unprepared many people feel when facing the end of life. That realization inspired her to help others approach it with greater understanding and care.
Today, she works closely with families—helping them explore options, plan meaningful ceremonies, and create space for reflection and connection. She also hosts community gatherings, such as Death Cafés, to encourage open conversations and reduce the stigma around discussing death.
A key part of her work is helping people plan ahead. Thoughtful preparation can ease the burden on loved ones and allow for more intentional, meaningful choices. Beyond logistics, Zianna emphasizes the importance of simply being present, reminding us that connection and compassion matter most in life’s final moments.
Her journey highlights an important message for students: sometimes the most fulfilling careers are the ones you may never have considered. Exploring different paths—even unconventional ones—can lead to meaningful and impactful work.
Zianna hopes more people come to see death not just as a medical event, but as a deeply human experience—one that deserves openness, care, and conversation.
Thank you, Zianna, for sharing your story.
As we all gather and stand upon Country, may we acknowledge and respect Gumbaynggirr Land and the thousands of years’ worth of both physical and spiritual connection to Country, culture and teachings embedded forever within these Lands.